their own, she's creating a special appeal that young readers enjoy immensely, more then if the sisters were perfect little angels ("Louisa May Alcott" 9). The major conflict within the novel was the sisters' struggle to balance their independence with the restrictive aspects of marriage. Feminism and domesticism clash in: one praises the ideals of independence and self-reliability, while the other promotes dependence and male domination (166). Alcott was never married herself, and she was a known supporter of women's rights (Elbert Preface X). In the Mid-19th century, marriage was the easiest and most obvious way for women to become financially stable. Though some jobs such as being a governess, teacher, or companion were acceptable work for women, only by marriage to success could they bring financial stability (Kopacz 47). In the novel, instead of making domesticism an enemy of feminism, domestic practices will actually help the feminist cause (Elbert 154). Author Sarah Elbert in her book A Hunger for Home: Louisa May Alcott and Little Women stated that one part of the domestic life that Alcott emphasized through a comical experience was the idea of the work ethic (153). Household chores seem to be all drudgery and laborious work, but it induces independence and the appreciation of work in the girls (154). In one chapter, Marmee had let the girls forgo their daily duties for a week, and set it as an experiment that "all play, and no work, is as bad as all work, and no play" (Alcott 107). In a series of disasters in the end, the sisters learnt the hard way what Marmee had been saying all along. Self-sacrifice is another theme that runs through the novel. Ever since the girls first gave up there Christmas breakfasts willingly, and getting compensated by a wonderful Christmas dinner, they realize that doing good can bring good too. Self-sacrifice is seen within all the characters. For example, Marmee gives up her husband for her country...
